Iranian Society of PathologyIranian Journal of Pathology1735-530314120190101The Correlation between Serum Zinc Level and Liver Histology in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis17253363510.30699/ijp.14.1.17ENFarid KosariAssociate Professor, Dept of Pathology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranRaika JamaliAssociate Professor, Research Development Center of Sina Hospital, Digestive Disease Research Institute, NAFLD Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranTayeb RamimResearcher, Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranEbrahim Musavi Jahan AbadResident, Dept of Internal Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20170717<strong>Background & Objective:</strong> The aim of this present study was to assess the relationship between serum zinc levels and liver histopathological findings in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This case-control study was performed in consecutively selected NASH patients who had been referred to a general hospital. The control group consisted of age and sex-matched individuals with normal physical examinations, laboratory findings, and liver ultrasounds. Serum zinc level was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Liver histopathological findings were determined based on non-alcoholic fatty liver activity score.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> A cohort of eighty biopsy-proven NASH patients and eighty controls were enrolled in the study. The mean serum zinc level was significantly lower in the NASH group compared with the controls. The mean serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in moderate and severe lobular inflammation groups than the mild group. After multiple adjustments for potential contributing variables, serum zinc level was associated with the severity of lobular inflammation. Nonetheless, it was not associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. A serum zinc value of 89 (µg/dl) yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 86%, respectively, characterizing patients with lobular inflammation of less than two inflammatory foci per high-power field (HPF) from more advanced groups. Furthermore, a value of 79.55 (µg/dl) yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 100%, respectively, distinguishing those with a lobular inflammation grade of less than four foci per HPF from more advanced cases. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Serum zinc level might be associated with the severity of lobular inflammation in NASH.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Zinc
Oxidative stress
Lobular inflammation
Fibrosis
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